Energy Management Software (EMS) is a general term and category referring to a variety of energy-related software[1] applications, which provide energy management including utility bill tracking, real-time energy metering, consumption control (building HVAC and lighting control systems), generation control (solar PV and ESS), building simulation and modeling, carbon and sustainability reporting, IT equipment management, grid services (demand response, virtual power plant, etc), and/or energy audits.
[3] EMS collects energy data and uses it for three main purposes: Reporting, Monitoring and Engagement.
Monitoring may include trend analysis and tracking energy consumption to identify cost-saving opportunities.
Engagement can mean real-time responses (automated or manual), or the initiation of a dialogue between occupants and building managers to promote energy conservation.
Reporting tools are targeted at owners and executives who want to automate energy and emissions auditing.
Cost and consumption data from a number of buildings can be aggregated or compared with the software, saving time relative to manual reporting.
For example, an unexpected energy spike at a specific time each day may indicate an improperly set or malfunctioning timer.
EMS uses models to correct for variable factors such as weather when performing historical comparisons to verify the effect of conservation and efficiency initiatives.
These thresholds may be set at absolute levels, or use an energy model to determine when consumption is abnormally high or low.